As of early 2025, we have a total nuclear stockpile of 5,177 warheads, with approximately 1,670 strategically deployed and 1,930 in reserve. The remaining warheads are retired and awaiting dismantlement. These weapons include submarine and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles as well as aircraft capable of carrying nuclear-armed air-launched cruise missiles and nuclear gravity bombs. In 2010, we abandoned plans to build the TLAM–N nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile after concluding this capability served a redundant purpose in the U.S. nuclear stockpile. However, in 2020, we initiated studies into building a low-yield nuclear sea-launched cruise missile after concluding that the weapon would provide a “non-strategic regional presence” and “an assured response capability”. Supporters claim we need an in-kind weapon capable of responding to Russia’s use of a low-yield nuclear strike on Europe or elsewhere. Considering the size of our defense budget, others think this weapon system, and others as well, are unnecessary. Lawmakers feel that installing nuclear warheads on Virginia-class attack subs would sap resources from growing the Navy’s fleet and distract from the core mission of attack submarines in the Pacific and European theaters, where they are typically laden with ship-killing conventional Tomahawk missiles. It is estimated that developing a sea-launched nuclear cruise missile will cost $10-$30 billion.

Pending Legislation: S.2930 - Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act
Sponsor: Sen. Edward Markey (MA)
Status: Senate Committee on Armed Services
Chair: Sen. Roger Wicker (MS)